My Name is Benny, Volume 1 by Sokomin

3 stars I enjoyed reading this on Webtoons and it was nice to revisit it in book format. Follow Benny and her best friend, Timothy, as they go about their day-to-day lives, bringing humor and mayhem to making new friends, celebrating holidays, and hanging out together. This collection includes the first 120 Webtoons episodes. Fun…

Read More

Is This a Cry for Help? by Emily Austin

2.5 stars After taking a leave of absence for her mental health, Darcy returns to her job as a public librarian. The last thing she needs is more difficulties, but she’ll have to deal with aggressive journalists, creepy emails, book bans, and protesters. Okay read. I expected to enjoy this more than I did. I…

Read More

Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers’ Rights [Audiobook]

Edited by Ashley Hope Pérez Illustrated by Debbie Fong Contributors: Ashley Hope Pérez, Maia Kobabe, Robin Stevenson, Nikki Grimes, Elana K. Aronld, Bill Konigsberg, Brendan Kiely, MariNaomi, Traci Sorell, Isabel Quintero, Trung Le Nguyen, Kyle Lukoff, Debbie Fong, Padma Venkatraman, Kelly Jensen, and Ellen Hopkins 3 stars A nice collection of pieces from a variety…

Read More

Dinner at the Night Library by Hika Harda

Translated by Philip Gabriel 3 stars The Night Library is unique in its mission. It solely houses the private libraries of deceased authors. Otoha Higuchi takes a job there and delves into a world of passionate book-lovers, odd patrons, book-themed dishes, and a few mysteries. I loved the cozy atmosphere of the Night Library. The…

Read More

Max, a Little Axolotl (Max, a Little Axolotl #1)

by Joey Spiotto 3 stars A cute early graphic novel about a little axolotl experiencing big changes. Max lived contently in Lake Xochimilco… until construction encroached on his home and he was taken to an aquarium for safety. There he starts a new school and works to overcome his nervousness to make new friends. A…

Read More

Harper Becomes a Big Sister by Seamus Kirst

Illustrated by Karen Bunting 4 stars Such a sweet story. Harper is excited about being a big sister, but from the moment baby Wyatt arrives, everything is different. Wyatt can’t do the fun things Harper enjoys and Dad and Daddy are always too tired or busy with Wyatt. Maybe being a big sister isn’t all…

Read More

Dad and Daddy’s Big Big Family by Seamus Kirst

Illustrated by Karen Bunting 3 stars A sweet picture book following Harper’s first family reunion. There she connects with family members she already knows and meets those she hadn’t met before. She learns about different types of families and how people can look different and even have different last names but still be family. The…

Read More

Beauty and the Beast: The Beast’s Tale

Adapted by Mallory Reaves Art by Studio Dice 3 stars Based on the 2017 live-action Beauty and the Beast movie, this manga follows the Beast’s perspective, showing a bit more of his thoughts and backstory. I ended up liking this story more than Belle’s Tale. Belle is pretty genuine with her actions so her stream of…

Read More

The Night Before Xmas: A Futurama Christmas Story

By Karen Bates Illustrated by Mike Rote 4 stars Such a fun read! Join the Planet Express crew as they batten down the hatches and prepare for Xmas Eve, indulging Fry in a few of his 21st century Christmas traditions. When Robot Santa comes, it is sure to be a violent night. A fun reimagining…

Read More

Beauty and the Beast: Belle’s Tale

Adapted by Mallory Reaves Art by Studio Dice 2.5 stars Based on the 2017 live-action Beauty and the Beast movie, this manga follows Belle’s perspective, providing her stream of consciousness as she rescues her father, befriends the castle’s inhabitants, and slowly falls in love with the Beast. A good adaptation. I would say you should…

Read More